Unarmed Disarmament

"This reward is lackluster, just a little increase in weapon proficiency..."

Kyōichi was fiddling with a kunai in his hand.

His proficiency with the kunai had improved considerably, and it seemed his swordsmanship had also increased slightly, but compared to the gains from Shisui previously, this time Asuma's rewards were clearly not much.

Oh well.

It was still better than nothing.

He split into shadow clones, one to make food while he continued training.

Just then, a figure flashed into the yard.

"Kyōichi Kamida, the Third Hokage has asked me to inform you the Jōnin exams will be held in five days at the Forest of Death in the morning, please be sure to go there on time."

"Got it, thanks!"

Kyōichi bowed in courtesy, then the Anbu ninja disappeared directly.

After the Anbu left, he contemplated for a long time, thinking through the various recent developments.

"Most ninjas have returned, looks like the frontlines are completely fine now. Next should be the graduation exams."

"Holding the Jōnin exams now, looks like the Leaf jōnin teachers are also lacking."

Recently, most Leaf ninjas were fighting outside, with few even Chūnin left in the village. Missions like catching pets and carrying water and firewood have piled up.

In addition, many Genin were killed and injured, also needing a new batch to fill the gap.

But Genin don't immediately become full shinobi after graduation, they need to form 4-man teams with jōnin teachers.

Mostly led by Chūnin, most Jōnin still lead their clan descendants.

This has always been an unspoken rule in the Leaf.

But now.

Clearly, Jōnin were also not abundant.

The Third didn't know, but Kyōichi understood very clearly - after the brief peace, the Leaf would soon fight the Mist and Rock again.

In the decade since the 2nd Shinobi World War began, the Leaf barely had much rest, now they were already in a precarious state.

No wonder later, the Cloud just straight up kidnapped Hinata, and the Third and Hyuuga clan chose to endure.

However, Kyōichi understood but didn't agree.

Neji father died unjustly.

Additionally.

The Leaf's current state was not unrelated to the Third and Danzo's governing strategies.

Since the founding, the First was the strongest, but the village's prosperity was actually highest under the Second Tobirama.

What was the result?

After Tobirama died, the Leaf kept fighting other villages, declining more and more.

Even the Legendary Sannin couldn't be kept.

Whose fault was that?

It definitely wasn't the Uchihas' problem.

The Third's incompetent rule, that was the root of the problem.

Kyōichi made food while pondering his plans.

Becoming a jōnin teacher was already planned.

Afterwards...

"In the wars with Mist and Cloud, I need to build up war contributions, but most important is to make more connections, so I can resist if Danzo wants to target me in the future."

Of course.

Orochimaru had enough strength and status, yet was still forced out by Danzo in the end right?

Because he himself wasn't clean!

So, can't leave any handles.

Thinking to here, Kyōichi had clear understanding of himself going forward, no longer having doubts.

For now.

Still need to train, improve himself.

"No class tomorrow, good chance to find Guy and Might Duy, train together and build rapport. If the chance comes up, can also exchange for the Eight Gates."

...

The next day.

In the Leaf village, more and more ninjas in uniforms appeared.

These were all ninjas returning from the frontlines.

Kyōichi didn't pay much attention, running laps around the outskirts while a shadow clone persistently trained swordsmanship at home.

His swordsmanship had improved greatly.

But.

Bringing it to fight enemies, perhaps it was still somewhat lacking, at least he was not as skilled and direct as his other attacks.

He Still needed practice!

"Teacher Kamida, let's have a match!"

"Keep training well."

Kyōichi didn't take his bait.

Guy followed him for a while, then couldn't help flying kicking at Kyōichi.

Kyōichi tilted his head to dodge.

Guy flew past over his head, but just then, a green shadow attacked swiftly from behind.

"Guy! You bastard... daring to sneak attack Teacher Kamida!"

Boom!

A muffled sound, Guy got kicked flying, nearly crashing into a rock.

Might Duy arrived.

Kyōichi's mouth twitched.

Although he had seen it once or twice, Might Duy and Might Guy's personalities and styles were still rather hard to get used to.

But the kid was fine every time even after such heavy hits, no wonder their family could train up to Eight Gates - they built up resilience from a young age.

He ignored the father and son, continuing to run forward.

They would catch up anyway.

However.

After running a few steps, Kyōichi narrowed his eyes at the woods.

Someone spying?

He sensed for a bit, and roughly understood.

This aura-

Kakashi Hatake!

He calmly continued running, pretending he didn't notice Kakashi.

Getting closer.

Suddenly, the bushes rustled.

The next moment, Kakashi appeared behind Kyōichi, pressing an undrawn tantō to his neck.

"Humph."

Nothing much.

Just as Kakashi was about to withdraw the blade, the Kyōichi in front of him slowly dissipated.

Shadow clone?

Impossible!

When?

Kakashi's eyes widened in shock, but he reacted extremely quickly, swiftly jumping away while weaving signs for a jutsu.

Earth Style Jutsu!

Just as he was about to use Underground Projection, he realized his jutsu failed -

There was a layer of foreign chakra on the ground, blocking his Earth Style.

So powerful!

In just a moment, the other party used some imperceptible Body Flicker and Shadow Clone to switch positions, then sealed his feet with Earth chakra, preventing his escape.

This was a battlefield veteran.

Just then...

Clang!

"As expected of Kakashi Hatake."

Kyōichi's kunai stopped Kakashi's blade.

To be able to swiftly analyze and judge in an instant, this reaction speed was indeed formidable, and his strength wasn't weak either. If it was Kyōichi without the system boosts, he would have lost in the first exchange.

But.

The current him was completely unafraid!

Under Kakashi's shocked gaze, Kyōichi directly grabbed his tantō.

Only then did Kakashi notice Kyōichi's hand was pitch black.

Petrifying Jutsu?

No.

This was another Earth Style jutsu, Earth Spear!

He immediately thought to disrupt it with Lightning chakra, but the other's strength instantly became extremely terrifying, Kakashi simply couldn't hold the blade, and it was taken away in a flash.

Such fearsome strength!

Looking at the seized tantō, Kakashi knew he was completely defeated - just now if the other was an enemy, he could have directly used the kunai in his right hand to kill him.

So powerful!

The other was only 6, 7 years older, yet his strength was on a completely different level.

What frustrated him most was.

In the moment his blade was seized, he felt even if he was given another 6, 7 years, he still wouldn't be this person's match. This was a defeat he had never experienced before.

No!

If he could use Lightning Style, and grow a few more years, he could definitely beat this guy.

Kakashi clenched his fists tightly, psyching himself up.

"Kakashi, didn't I say yesterday you're no match for him? Yet you still dared to challenge Big Bro Kamida."

Guy arrived and unabashedly mocked on the side.

However.

He was also bruised and swollen, clearly having received a thrashing from Might Duy.